FIGHTCAMP 2015 TOURNAMENTS AND SPARRING

FightCamp 2015 sees a major change in the format of some of the tournaments, with qualifying rounds for many of the tournaments, together with a new scoring system.

Please therefore make sure you have read and understood the rules below well in advance of the event. We encourage people to practice fighting to these rules before the event.

Registration for all tournaments will be PRIOR to the event opening. Notifications will go out on the website, by email and on Facebook when registration opens. You will only be able to register for tournaments before the event, not at the event. This is to reduce the administrate burden on staff during the event and also so that we can get pool rounds started straight away.

The aim of sparring and competition at FightCamp is for realistic and sensible historical fencing, showing good skill, providing a healthy environment for testing skills and learning, that is fun or exhilarating for those taking part. Ultimately it should be a worthwhile experience for the participants and should add to the camaraderie and excitement of the event. All sparring and competing at FightCamp should be conducted in good spirit and safely.

Please behave sensibly and help us to continue hosting a great sparring environment for hundreds of people every year.

Please be sympathetic to the Referees and Judges, who have a fairly thankless, tiring and very difficult task. Judging is not easy!

There are 6 tournaments at FightCamp 2015:

1. Eggleton Cup Nylon longsword and & buckler 2. Assault at Arms Nylon backswords 3. FightCamp Tournament Steel 4. Waite Challenge Steel 5. FightCamp Federschwert Steel longsword feders 6. Team Melee Tournament Teams of five people, nylon medieval , bucklers, shields and

Tournaments 1-5 will be fought in rounds using FIGHTCAMP STANDARD RULES (below), with fighters having to complete a set number of fights in each round. The top scoring fighters from each round will advance to the next round. The emphasis therefore is on point accumulation rather than winning individual fights. This is to reward quality clean hits and discourage doubles/afterblows. You may ‘win’ every fight in a round, but if you take lots of doubles and afterblows then your cumulative score will probably be too low to advance. This equates to being too ‘wounded’ to continue or survive. Avoid being ‘wounded’.

Tournament 6 will be fought according to FIGHTCAMP MELEE RULES (below).

FIGHTCAMP STANDARD RULES

Bouts will each consist of 5 'exchanges'.

An exchange is where one or both people score a hit and time for an afterblow (one foot movement) is allowed.

Each time an exchange is concluded, it is either scored as: - 4 points for a clean cut or thrust to the head/neck, or thrust to the torso. - 3 points for any other clean hit. - For an afterblow, the person who hit first gets 2 points, the second hitter gets 1 point (regardless of hit locations). An afterblow can land within one foot movement and no more. The afterblow is decided by this limit and not time. - For double-hits both people get zero points.

(For rapiers the scores are slightly different; 4 points for a clean thrust to head or torso, 3 points for a thrust anywhere else, 3 points for a good unanswered cut given anywhere with the centre 50% of the , or with an obvious push or pull – afterblows and doubles the same as above).

You only have 5 such exchanges to accumulate as many total points as possible - if you get lots of doubles and afterblows then you will not accumulate many points (you can get between 0 and 20 points after one bout consisting of 5 exchanges – an example bout account is given below*).

Disarms do not score in themselves, but a hit delivered after a disarm will score as usual.

Strikes with the hilt to the face only will score 3 points if given cleanly and without an afterblow or double. If a hilt strike to the face is answered with an afterblow then a score of 2-1 results.

Strikes with the body and wrestling do not score points in themselves, but may be used to facilitate scoring a strike with the weapon. Corp-a-corps is expected to be carried out in a controlled way and not with the intention of causing real injury.

No score is gained by forcing an opponent out of the ring, but if a fighter repeatedly runs out of the ring themselves then the referee may award points against them.

In qualifying pools the fighters will be arranged into groups and will have to fight every other fighter in their group. A time slot and location will be arranged for this pool stage for each tournament. The fighters within a group will meet at that time and location and conduct their fights in turn. They will judge each other at this pool stage. Dependent on the number of entrants, usually only the top scoring fighter from each group will move on to the next stage.

In every round advancement will be decided by accumulated points.

In the final round there will be 3 fighters, again with the emphasis on points accumulation, deciding Gold, Silver and Bronze (clean hits to deeper targets are therefore greatly rewarded, as well as avoiding doubles).

* FightCamp Standard Rules example bout with sabres: 1st exchange: Martin cut Sophie cleanly on the head Martin 4 – 0 Sophie 2nd exchange: Sophie cut Martin on the head, but received an afterblow on the leg Martin 5 – 2 Sophie 3rd exchange: Sophie and Martin thrust each other in the chest at the same time Martin 5 – 2 Sophie 4th exchange: Martin hits Sophie on the arm cleanly Martin 8 – 2 Sophie 5th exchange: Sophie thrusts Martin in the chest cleanly Martin 8 – 6 Sophie

Martin wins the bout; Martin has 8 points to add to his total, Sophie has 6 to add to hers.

FIGHTCAMP MELEE RULES

In 2015 this is the second time FightCamp will hold a HEMA melee competition, whereby teams will fight other teams with an assortment of medieval HEMA weapon simulators. Fighters will be declaring hits on themselves, so it is important that fighters enter this competition in a sense of good spirit and honourable conduct. This tournament is supposed to be fun and fair.

If people do not declare hits then the system falls apart and becomes pointless. Repeated failure to declare hits may be punished by disqualification of that fighter or an entire team. The fights will be recorded on video and replays referred to if necessary.

The purpose of the competition is to further develop team fighting skills which may be applicable to unarmoured skirmishing or armed civilian brawling; putting our HEMA knowledge and training into a multiple opponent setting. FightCamp is the first large HEMA event to make this a regular feature. The weapon selection sets this in a medieval context and represents the sort of weapons that an unarmoured group of skirmishers or rioters might have in the 14th to early-16th centuries.

Since 2014 the teams have been expanded from 3 to 5 people and the weapon variety has also been expanded. Non-medieval weapon types have also been dropped.

Fighters must provide their own HEMA Shop nylon weapons and protective clothing, with the exception of spears and shields, which will be provided by FightCamp.

FIVE fighters per team, each armed with: 1) Longsword 2) Longsword OR arming sword and buckler 3) (thrusting only) 4) Arming sword and buckler 5) Arming sword and large shield (no striking with the shield edge allowed)

Coloured sashes will be worn to signify each team – teams are also welcome to wear their own matching emblems or colours instead, provided by themselves.

One weapon hit (cut or thrust for sword, thrust only for spear) anywhere on the body knocks a fighter out.

A fighter receiving a hit and being ‘out’ will exit the arena by the nearest edge with their weapons and holding their hands above their heads.

Two fighters hitting each other at the same time are both out.

Afterblows count if given within one step.

Fighters may not exchange weapons between the team members and when someone is ‘killed’ they leave the arena with their weapons.

If a fighter drops their weapon/s for any reason then they are deemed ‘out of play’ and they must leave the arena as if they were ‘killed’.

Throwing of weapons is not allowed.

Each Match between two teams will consist of a series of Bouts. Each Bout lasts until all the fighters on one team are struck out. After each Bout in which one side has been eliminated: Winning side has 5 people remaining = 5 Points Winning side has 4 people remaining = 4 Points Winning side has 3 people remaining = 3 Points Winning side has 2 people remaining = 2 Points Winning side has 1 person remaining = 1 Point The first team to score 6 Points in total wins the Match. Therefore a Match could take a minimum of 2 Bouts, or a maximum of 11 Bouts.

The overall competition will be run by direct elimination – if your team loses a Match then the team is knocked out of the competition.

Detail • No wresting or strikes apart from with the weapon count. • All cuts and thrusts count with swords, thrusts only with spears (either end) • Pommel/hilt strikes are not counted unless the judge says so. • No throwing of your weapon is allowed. • When hit, fighters must raise their hands high above their heads and exit the arena by the nearest edge, taking their weapons with them. • A fighter dropping their weapon/s will be deemed to be ‘hit’ and ‘out’. • Fighters should exercise restraint when striking an opponent from the rear, or when they are prone (such as having tripped or fallen). • Fighters should be controlled when in a situation when they are outnumbered or are outnumbering their opponent(s). • One hit anywhere and you’re dead, including to the hands, feet and other extremities. • If dead; move out of arena while avoiding any fighting. • Double hit; both fighters are dead. Afterblows count within one step. • If both a competitor’s feet leave the arena then they are dead.

Judging the Bouts (Important to have minimal interruption to a team fight) • Fighters call their own hits. • Fighters repeatedly not declaring their hits will be removed from the Match. Video footage may be consulted. • A number of Line Judges (TBC) and one Referee. • Line Judges can tap on head three times (with long stick) to say fighter is out, if they feel a fighter has not taken a hit. • Line Judges or the Ref can call halt to freeze a fight. • Referee’s decision is final.

Fighting arena (Marked out with ropes) A large rectangle.

EQUIPMENT

General safety rules for all FightCamp sparring and tournaments

There are minimum equipment standards for nylon and steel sparring and tournaments. These are obligatory and are listed below. They apply to all sparring, formal or informal, as well as tournaments. Wooden weapons are in the same classification as nylon in this regard.

Competitors are expected to exercise control and conduct themselves with good manners at all times. Loss of control, anger and abuse of other competitors or event staff will not be tolerated at all and will result in disqualification from competition and possible expulsion from the site. We encourage all attendees to report such cases to the organisers during the event and as soon as possible. FightCamp Marshals can be consulted in privacy and confidentially.

Spectators of sparring and competitions must remain in the designated areas and not encroach on the fighting areas or pass through or over them. No attacks in either sparring or competitions should be given with the intention to actually injure the opponent. Common sense should be employed in regards to striking an opponent on unprotected areas. For example, if they do not have back of head protection, then don’t hit them on the back of their head deliberately. Check that ground/floor surfaces are safe for sparring/competing on. This includes clearing the area of obstacles and debris. Also ensure your footwear is correctly secured to your feet – twisted ankles are one of the most common injuries and will ruin your weekend. If you are sparring near other people, make them aware of the fact and try to remain aware of potential dangers.

Nylon sparring/competition MINIMUM protective clothing

This is the MINIMUM level of protective gear required to engage in nylon or wooden weapon sparring at FightCamp:

1) CEN 1 fencing mask 350N, fitted to the wearer and secure on the head (preferably with protection for the back of the head) 2) Reinforced and/or padded gloves 3) Box/cup/groin protector (for men) 4) Chest protector (for women) 5) Gorgets (throat protectors), knee and shin protection, and chest protectors for men are highly recommended though not mandatory (though they are for the melee tournament).

Steel sparring/competition MINIMUM protective clothing and weapon requirements

This is the MINIMUM level of protection for all steel weapon sparring and competition at FightCamp. These criteria are based on over 10 years of experience from FightCamp and other European HEMA events. This level of protection is primarily required to prevent broken from entering the body and is also informed by standards and experience from Olympic-style sport fencing.

This list describes the MINIMUM level of equipment that you must be wearing at FightCamp to engage in ANY steel weapon sparring or competition, regardless of weapon type, for example epee/smallsword, sabre, rapier, longsword ‘feder’ or blunt longsword.

Clothing: 1) Fencing mask from reputable retailer (CEN 1 350N minimum), without signs of rust or serious deformation (dents etc), fitted to the wearer and secure on the head. 2) Cut and impact-resistant back of head protection (eg. Padded, leather or hard plastic), that can be worn under the mask OR attached to the mask OR part of an overlay that sits on top of and around the mask. 3) Padded/hard throat protection (must provide protection against a stab getting to the throat under the mask or damage to the windpipe), in the form of a gorget, OR stiff plate in the fencing jacket collar (must be under the mask bib), OR a Polish-style leather apron with leather "blade catcher" pocket on the outside. A simple fabric collar will not suffice, nor will the mask bib alone. 4) Fencing plastrons (800N) for BOTH right and left sides (or the double-sided type, eg. From Allstar), OR an 800N fencing jacket worn underneath the chest protection and outer jacket. This is obligatory to prevent broken blades entering through the outer jacket into the armpits. The outer jacket alone is not sufficient to protect the armpits. 5) Chest protector for women. Men may also want to consider wearing these, especially with thinner jackets. 6) Cup/box/jock-strap for men. 7) Gloves appropriate to the weapon being used – the cuffs MUST well overlap the bottom edges of the jacket sleeves in all motions. 8.) Outer fencing jacket appropriate to the weapons being used, with fully enclosed upper body and arms. This can include 350N/800N sport fencing jackets, HEMA-specific fencing jackets or gambesons (where the whole upper torso is enclosed, without openings such as at the armpits). 9) Hard knee and shin protection.

Thus there should be a minimum of 2 levels of protection covering the torso – plastron & outer jacket – and in the case of women and men with thinner jackets, 3 levels – including the chest protector. The plastic chest protector does not seem necessary with the SPES jackets, as they have a double layer on the chests already, but they must have plastrons underneath due to poor armpit protection.

All other protection, such as arm guards etc, are optional. The above MINIMUM REQUIRED items are essential for the preservation of life against accidentally-broken blades during steel sparring and competition.

Steel Weapons: 1) All weapons must be in suitable condition for use, being free of deep rust and pitting, having no sudden kinks or bends to the blade or tang, having no deep notches in the edges, the hilt being entirely solid on the tang, edges and hilts being burr-free and smooth. Weapons must be maintained to this standard throughout the event. 2) If any weapon blade becomes bent such that it is likely to have become fatigued or work- hardened to a dangerous degree in that portion of the blade, then it should be retired from use immediately. Most known weapon breakages at FightCamp have been in weapons which have been seriously bent and then straightened before continued use. This creates a weak portion in the blade which can break very suddenly and turn your blunt blade into a very sharp one instantly. 3) All steel weapons must either have: a) a rolled forged blunt tip, (eg. Regenyei feders); b) a spent brass rifle cartridge securely fixed on the end (or equivalent METAL fitting); c) a rounded blunt blade tip at least 20mm across. Rubber blunt tips are NOT permitted because of the number of failures they have had at HEMA events and clubs. 4) Hilts should not have sharp protrusions.

Melee tournament equipment requirements

Nylon HEMA Shop swords. Plastic, metal or leather bucklers. Rattan spears with padded heads (FightCamp provide). Wooden shields (FightCamp provide). Minimum level of Protection 1) CEN 1 fencing mask, 350N, fitted to the wearer and secure on the head. 2) Back-of-head protection. If you don’t have one, make one from a forearm guard. 3) Reinforced and/or padded gloves. 4) Box/cup/groin protector (for men). 5) Chest protector (for women). 6) Torso impact protection, such as a jacket. 7) Gorgets/throat protectors (critical since spears and shields have been introduced) 8) Knee and shin protection. 9) Forearm and elbow guards (unless incorporated into the torso protection already). Scoring